As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including by arranging for the training of the members and civilian staff of An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Commissioner that there is a five level suite of competency based driving (CBD) courses, with each level specifically catering for the required knowledge base, skill set and operational requirements of members undergoing the relevant training.
The five level suite covers the initial assessment of driving suites at CBD 1 to advanced driving training which includes the highest level of knowledge of road craft and all competency areas necessary to drive high powered vehicles at CBD 4 and the training of Garda driving instructors at CBD 5. I am further informed that the frequency of courses is governed by the operational requirements of An Garda Síochána. The highest level of operational requirement is for levels CBD 1 to CBD 3, while the more specialised levels CBD 4 and CBD 5 are held as needed.
I have requested the specific information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner and when it is to hand I will write to the Deputy directly.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.